After a once-promising season suddenly burst into flames, the same question we keep asking about Kentucky basketball in general also applies specifically to Kellan Grady, who was the Wildcats most reliable outside shooter until he wasnt. When Saint Peters delivered an unthinkable first-round NCAA Tournament upset, dazed and confused fans were left to wonder of both their team and its wayward marksman: What the hell just happened?

But thats the thing. It didnt just happen. Several things, over time, conspired against Grady and Kentucky. There was Sahvir Wheelers concussion (or maybe two). TyTy Washingtons ankle. Wheelers wrist. Washingtons ankle again. And again. Those injuries were widely reported. Heres one that wasnt: Both of Gradys feet were plagued by plantar fasciitis for months and got progressively worse under the heavy load he carried while the Wildcats other two starting guards struggled to stay on the court.

This actually started in June, Grady tells The Athletic. I knew then. But the only way to get rid of it fully is rest. If you have it bad, its like six weeks of rest. I needed to earn my spot. It was very competitive in the summer and fall. Especially in the fall, right when we started up again, I wasnt playing my best and I felt like I couldnt afford to take a bunch of time off to rest my feet. So I just decided to fight through it. Then once the season started, there was no way I was missing any games.

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'Almost crawling to the bathroom': Kentucky's Kellan Grady reveals that he played through severe foot pain - The Athletic